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MS Malicious Software Removal Tool damages harmless software

In yesterday's update of the Malicous Software Removal Tool (MSRT), Microsoft supplied an erroneous signature that led it to remove the uninstall components of some software products. For example, a reader has reported that, following a reboot, the MSRT found the trojan Win32/Renos.N in the "Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 8.0" video processing software. Microsoft's own Flight Simulator is also reported to have been robbed of its uninstall routines by faulty error detection.

According to Microsoft – click the "Analysis" tab on this linked page for the information – the incorrect signature was supplied to all anti-virus products, including OneCare, on 19 November. The defective signature is only contained in the December version 2.5.2419.0 of the MSRT and, shortly thereafter, Microsoft issued version 2.5.2423.0, which is said to contain the corrected signatures. Microsoft normally issues corrected versions via automatic updates, so no direct action is needed. The company has not yet suggested how the deleted files can be restored.